U.S. patent number 6,137,965 [Application Number 09/218,044] was granted by the patent office on 2000-10-24 for container for developing equipment.
This patent grant is currently assigned to GID GmbH. Invention is credited to Werner Burgeios, Georg Daffner.
United States Patent |
6,137,965 |
Burgeios , et al. |
October 24, 2000 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Container for developing equipment
Abstract
The invention relates to a container 1 for receiving and
distributing liquids, which are employed in the development of
photographic images. The container 1 comprises a liquid duct 2,
which extending from a point in the vicinity of the floor of the
container, extends to a connection member 3, arranged in the top
region of the container, for receiving a connection means.
Inventors: |
Burgeios; Werner
(Zusmarshausen, DE), Daffner; Georg (Schwarzenbruck,
DE) |
Assignee: |
GID GmbH (Augsburg,
DE)
|
Family
ID: |
32070419 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/218,044 |
Filed: |
December 22, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
396/626; 222/318;
222/464.1; 396/630; 396/641 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03D
3/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G03D
3/06 (20060101); G03D 003/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;396/626,628,630,636,641,624 ;222/464.1,211,318 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mathews; Alan A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein &
Fox, P.L.L.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A container for liquid employed in photographic developing work
comprising:
a liquid duct integally manufactured with the container; and
a connection member disposed at a top region of the container, for
receiving a connection means, wherein said liquid duct extends
outside of the container from a point in the vicinity of a floor of
the container to said connection member, and
wherein said connection member includes a suction intake portion
for receiving fluid from said liquid duct and a return region for
receiving fluid into the container.
2. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connection
member is disposed on a wall opposite to the floor of the
container.
3. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein an internal space
in the connection member is divided by a partitioning means into
said suction intake region and said return region.
4. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connection
member is manufactured integrally with the container.
5. The container as set forth in claim 1 for the supply of liquids
employed in photographic developing processes.
6. The use of a container as set forth in claim 5, a plurality of
containers being combined together in a kit.
7. The use of a container as set forth in claim 5, wherein at least
two containers are used with at least two baths, wherein liquid
from the first container is supplied to the first bath and liquid
in the second container is supplied to the second bath, and wherein
liquid returning from the first bath is returned to the second
container and liquid returning from the second bath is returned to
the first container.
8. The use of one or a plurality of containers as set forth in
claim 1 in a computer output in microfilm (COM) system.
Description
The invention relates to a container designed to receive and
distribute liquids, which are employed in the development of
photographic images. More especially, the invention relates to a
container for receiving liquid employed in the course of
photographic development, in the case of which a liquid duct
extends from a point in the vicinity of the floor of the container
to a connection member, arranged in the top region of the
container, to receive a connection device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The development of photographic images is today performed in
partially or even completely automatic equipment, in which the
photographic material to be developed is run mechanically through
the various baths arranged in the developing equipment and is if
necessary subjected to a drying process at the end. As development
equipment which is presently in widespread use it is possible to
name COM recorders (computer output on microfilm), and furthermore
x-ray film developing machines, processor cameras and dental
development equipment.
The liquids employed in such processes, as for example the
developing or fixing liquid, are consumed during operation by
reaction of the chemicals with the material to be developed so that
the chemical contained in the bath becomes exhausted in the course
of time. In order to keep the developing action constant over a
long period of time, the liquids in the baths are replenished from
external containers in a manner dependent on the amount of the
material to be processed to regenerate the liquid which has partly
been expended. Since the bath of the respective liquid only has a
limited volume, a volume of liquid must be removed equal to the
supplied volume of liquid used for replenishment. This as a rule is
performed by returning the liquid into the container.
The connection between the chemicals container and the processing
baths is generally by way of loose hose hanging down into the
baths, a pump device being provided in the supply means leading
into the processing bath. A disadvantage of this arrangement is not
only that there is a poor mixing of the returning liquid and the
unused chemical present in the container, but also owing to the
possibility of access of oxygen to the container there is also a
high oxidation rate in the chemical contained in the container.
During the process of development the chemicals employed are
frequently at high temperatures so that the liquids themselves must
be heated. The heating of the liquids is generally so performed
that the liquids are heated in the container or in the bath to an
optimum temperature for processing and held there. One problem is
in this respect that volatile components such as amines or amino
alcohols are readily able to escape from heated liquids in open
containers and may condense at various points within the equipment.
Since the gases then escaping frequently develop a corrosive
action, they may have a disadvantageous effect on the electrical
control means of the development system, since the control
elements, such as chips and other computer hardware present in the
equipment are attacked by the gases.
A further problem occurring with replenishment from external
containers is that the liquid is subject to oxidative degradation
on contact with air, such degradation being even more pronounced
when the liquid is heated in the container itself.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,208 discloses a container for a
photographic developing liquid, in the case of which the liquid in
the container is heated from the outside through the surface of the
container. The heat supplied to the container is controlled with
the aid of a device for measuring temperature, which is also in
contact with the wall of the container.
During the replacement of the storage container for replenishing
the chemicals there is furthermore the danger of chemicals being
spilled from or dripping out of the processing baths. Since the
chemicals employed in the course of developing operations are
hazardous to health, they constitute a potential danger for the
operator of the equipment. By the same token it is difficult and in
most cases impossible, to clean things such as a clothing or parts
of the floor in the vicinity of the development equipment, once
same have been soiled with developing liquid.
One object of the present invention is consequently to provide a
container for receiving and distributing of a liquid employed for
the development of photographic images, with which oxidative
degradation of the liquid itself may be reduced to a minimum.
Furthermore, the length of life of the chemicals used is to be
prolonged.
A further object of the invention is to make available a container,
with which contamination of the environment may be substantially
prevented on changing the containers of the development
equipment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
These objects are to the achieved by a container for receiving and
distributing a liquid employed for photographic development, in the
case of which a liquid duct extending from a point in the vicinity
of the floor of the container extends to a connection member for
receiving a connection device, said connection member being
arranged in the top region of the container and being connected
with the container.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the
connection member is arranged on the wall which is opposite to the
floor of the container. Furthermore, it is possible for the
connection member to be divided up by a partition means into a
suction intake region and a return flow region, the suction intake
region being joined with the liquid duct for the conduction of the
liquid.
The connection member and the liquid duct are preferably made
integrally with the container.
The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the
drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a container 1 in accordance with the invention having
a liquid duct 2 leading to a connection member 3.
FIG. 1(a) shows a view from above of the container 1, a part of the
liquid duct 2 and the connection member 3 being depicted.
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the connection member 3, via which a
suction/return means 7 for the liquid is arranged. This means 7 for
removal and return of the liquid is divided up into a suction
intake region 4' and a return region 5'.
FIG. 2a further explains a preferred embodiment of the connection
member 3, a partition being provided therein, which divides the
connection member 3 into a suction intake region 4 and a return
region 5.
FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows one possibility for coupling two
containers in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 4 diagrammatically shows an arrangement comprising six process
containers, in the case of which the respective liquids are
packaged together in two kits, each kit and having three containers
for the baths 1 through 3 and, respectively, 4 through 6.
The invention will now be explained in detail with reference to a
preferred embodiment thereof.
The container 1 for receiving a liquid possesses, in accordance
with the
usual design of such equipment, a floor and side walls. The
container may have the form of a canister which walls extending in
parallel to one another, i. e. there is a floor wall, side walls
and a cover, or it may be in the form of a bell-like container
tapering in an upward direction. In this case it is possible for
the connection member 3 itself to represent the top region of the
container. Other geometrical forms suitable for such containers are
also possible, the only restriction being the features of the
particular development equipment.
The container is customarily manufactured of plastic, more
particularly polyethylene, polypropylene, PET of composite
materials.
On one side wall of the container in the vicinity of the floor of
the container a liquid duct 2 is arranged, via which the liquid in
the bottom region of the container 1 may be sucked up and passed to
a connection member 3 arranged in the top region of the container.
The liquid duct 2 may be manufactured integrally with the container
1.
In a wall in a region thereof remote from the floor the container
has an opening, in which a connection member 3 is installed for
receiving a device for the removal of the liquid from the
container. The connection member 3 is connected with the container
in a sealed manner, as for example by means of a conventional
fastening means, such as a screw thread or by clip means, or, in
accordance with a preferred form of the invention, it may be
manufactured integrally with the container 1. The connection member
3 possesses an opening in its one wall to receive the liquid duct,
the opening being so spaced from the container that simple
application of the liquid duct 2 to the connection member 3 is
possible.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment the connection member 3
comprises a partitioning or separating means 6, which divides up
the internal volume of the connection member 3 into a suction
intake region 4 and a return flow region 5, a connection with the
liquid duct 2 being provided because the duct opens into the
suction intake region 4. In a similar manner partitioning into a
suction intake region 4' and a return flow region 5' may also be
provided in the device 7 for the removal of liquid. In this respect
the device 7 is introduced into the connection member 3 and by
suitable seals, for instance O-ring seals, connected in a sealing
fashion with the connection member 3 itself or the container.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment the container 1 and
furthermore the liquid duct 2 and the connection member 3 are
manufactured in one piece. In this embodiment it is possible for
the liquid duct to be so designed that same may simultaneously
serve as a carrying handle so that handling the container is
facilitated.
For use of the container in accordance with the invention it is an
advantage for same to be supplied in a kit with a plurality of
containers. Such a kit will generally comprise at least two
containers, which contain a developing liquid and a fixing liquid.
The containers are then bound together using conventional means
such as metal bands, means possibly provide with handles, for
receiving and holding the containers in place. Kits with more than
two containers are also comprised within the scope of the present
invention, the further containers containing activators, second
developers, bleaching baths, clarifying baths or the like. For
improvement of the keeping qualities of the developed material it
is possible, in the case of equipment operating without washing,
also to provide containers for residual thiosulfate neutralizer,
rinsing solutions, stop baths, stabilizers and liquids for final
baths. The number of containers collected together in a kit is only
limited by the space requirements in the developing equipment.
It has turned out that such kits minimize the danger of incorrect
connection together of the respective containers with the
corresponding baths, the operation of the developing equipment
being facilitated.
If containers are replaced after the respective liquid has become
spent, there is a danger of products being spilled from or dripping
out of the processing baths and coming into contact with the
surroundings and possibly with the operator of the equipment. In
the case of the containers 1 of the invention after removal of
shipping closures applied to the container 1 itself the connection
member 3, the containers 1 are connected manually or automatically
with the device 7 for the removal of the liquid. In this respect
the device 7 for the removal and return of the liquid a separation
of the inlet and outlet is ensured, or such a separation is
produced even in the connection member 3 itself. In this respect
the removal device 7 is so introduced into the connection member 3
that the suction intake region 4' completely surrounds the wall
region of the connection member 3, in which the opening for the
liquid duct 2 is located, and contact with the return region 5' is
thus prevented. In a case such that a partitioning means for
separation of a suction intake region 4 from a return region 5 is
already provided in the connection member 3, it is merely necessary
for the respective connections to be produced with the
corresponding supply and removal ducts to and from the processing
bath.
The connection between the containers and the processing baths is
in accordance with the invention performed using a device 7,
connected in a sealing fashion with the connection member 3, for
removal and return of the liquid. This means that further access of
atmospheric oxygen to the chemicals container is prevented,
something which increases the keeping properties and accordingly
the degree of utilization of the liquids employed.
In the ducts leading to the processing baths a pump device is
arranged, with which the liquid coming from the containers may be
caused to circulate via the supply ducts, via the processing baths
and via the removal ducts. In accordance with the invention in this
case the liquid is drawn off via the liquid duct 2 in the vicinity
of the floor of the container and is conveyed via the connection
member 3 and the supply ducts to the processing baths. In the
supply ducts it is possible to provide a device for heating or
warming the liquid flowing therethrough, such device preferably
comprising a heated loop of corrosion-resistant material.
Furthermore it is possible to provide filters for suspended
materials, active carbon filters or the like at a suitable
point.
On return the liquid coming from the processing baths is passed
into the return region 5 of the connection member 3 arranged on the
canister and will run through the container's opening 8 into the
container 1. Since liquid is drawn in near the floor of the
container 1 and is returned again via the top region of the
container, it is possible to ensure satisfactory mixing of the
returned and stored liquid so that the chemical employed may
ultimately be made full use of.
By the selection of a suitable structure of the processing system
it is possible to have different residence times of the film
material to be developed in the different baths. Thus it is
possible for instance to double the development time by charging
bath number 1 and also bath number 2 with the same developer
solution. Since during chemical development physical and chemical
processes occur which differ as regards time, the two developers do
not change equally. This effect may be taken into amount if
developers with a different composition are utilized, something
which is however relatively complex. Using the containers of the
invention it is now possible to change over the two developers so
that the chemical change in both baths is the same. Such a
structure is for instance depicted in FIG. 3. The bath number 1 is
charged with developer solution from a first container, the return
flow from bath number 1 being passed into the second container. The
content of the second container is passed into bath number 2 and
the return flow from this bath goes into container number 1. By
having such a structure the there is ultimately a further increase
in capacity.
After their contents have been used up the containers in accordance
with the invention may be resealed with the shipping closures and
disposed of. Owing to particular design of the connection member 3
it is possible to prevent spillage of chemicals and to prevent
contact of the chemicals with the operator of the development
equipment.
Furthermore the scope of the present invention also extends to a
device, in which the chemicals are supplied in one direction from
the container and/or the kit(s) with a plurality of containers the
processing operation, there being no return to the containers. In
such cases it is possible to use not only ready-to-use processing
solution but also regenerating solutions (refilling solutions),
rejuvenating solutions (refreshing solutions) and furthermore
concentrates and partial concentrates of multiple component
products.
* * * * *